ROGERS — Some people have two careers in a lifetime, three is more unusual unless you are Jim Clark, a Rogers deputy city attorney.
Clark will turn 80 on Jan. 4 and retire Jan. 6, but that’s not the end of his working life.
“I’m not sure what I will do when I retire. I plan to keep my law license and will probably continue to practice law on some level,” Clark said.
Clark didn’t go to law school after he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas, he became a journalist.
At A Glance
Legal Thoughts
Jim Clark, deputy city attorney, offers some thoughts on the law:
• The law is the same, but the practice of law is different, it doesn’t seem to be about justice any more. The courts are overcrowded pushing attorneys to make deals rather than seek true justice for the public and the accused.
• There are too many people in jails and prisons for drug-related offenses.
• Marijuana should be legalized. Clark said he doesn’t think it's a "gateway drug."
• Other drugs, such as methamphetamine, are dangerous, not only to those who use them, but to the general public as well. Those offenders should be prosecuted.
• Despite its faults, the United States’ courts are the best legal system in the world.
Source: Staff Report
Clark began is journalism career in 1957 with the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock, just in time to be a part of coverage of the integration of Little Rock’s Central High School.
“I had a front row seat to history, although I had no idea of the ramifications that incident would have over the next several years,” said Clark, a copy editor and, later, assistant news editor for the newspaper. He stayed with the newspaper until 1966.
Newspapers may have been his first calling, but as Clark’s family grew, he decided he needed to make more money and took a job in public relations — his first with Cooper Communities in Bella Vista.
“It was different than journalism, but I enjoyed being in public relations,” Clark said.
Clark accepted a job as assistant director of news services at the University of Arkansas after two years with Cooper. He stayed with the university 13 years before his next career change.
Clark decided to follow his son, Greg, and become an attorney. He was 50 when he started law school at the University of Arkansas.
“It was something very few other people would have tried,” said David Clinger, a retired Benton County circuit judge, longtime friend and Clark’s former boss.
“It just goes to prove you can take a journalist and make something useful out of him,” said David Matthews, a Rogers attorney and Clark’s longtime friend.
Clark finished law school with honors, passed the bar and began his legal career in private practice.
“Jim is the only people I know who was a junior partner in his son’s law firm,” Clinger said.
Clark also has a daughter who is a nurse.
“When I ran for prosecuting attorney, Jim was there to run my campaign. We have been fast friends ever since,” Clinger said. Clinger said Clark’s journalism and law background helped him win.
It wasn’t long after Clinger became prosecutor that Clark signed on as a deputy prosecutor.
“I learned more from Clinger than I ever did in law school,” Clark said. After a couple of years, however, Clark returned to private practice.
When Clinger decided to seek the circuit judge position in 1999, Clark jumped back in the campaign saddle for another ride.
“With Jim’s help, I won a tightly contested race for the judgeship by a handful of votes,” Clinger said. “Jim started calling me ‘Landslide’ Clinger after the election.”
Clark left private practice after the circuit court election to join the Rogers city attorney’s office.
“I always felt I could do more good as government attorney than I could in private practice,” Clark said.
Clark retired in 2003 from his position as deputy city attorney, but the political bug bit him a year later.
He applied and was appointed to an opening on the Rogers City Council in 2004,
“I was elected to the position later in 2004 and again is 2006,” Clark said. Clark resigned from the council in his second term to return to city attorney’s office.
“Jim called me right after we announced there was an open position in my office. Before Jim could even ask for the job, I told him he was hired,” said Ben Lipscomb, city attorney.
“Jim is a very detail-oriented person. I see the big picture, but Jim keeps me on track with the details,” Lipscomb said.
Lipscomb said he and Clark have been friends and working partners for more than 25 years.
“I don’t know what I would have done without Jim Clark all those years,” Lipscomb said. “No one will ever replace Jim. He can’t be replaced, because there isn’t anyone out there with his historic knowledge, his attention to detail and a great attitude.”
Matthews said Clark is feisty, smart and honorable.
“If Jim Clark tells you something you can take it the bank, it’s the truth. He not only gets results, he is interested in being fair and making sure justice is served, Matthews said.
“Jim is someone I’m proud to call a friend. He’s one of the good guys,” Clinger said.